Welcome, fellow solvers, to the grid. Every so often, a crossword clue comes along that feels less like a simple definition and more like a line of poetry itself. It stops you in your tracks, forcing you to put down the coffee and truly think. Today’s delightful conundrum is one of those:
‘Timeless, to a poet.’
This is the kind of crossword clue that separates the literal thinkers from the lateral ones. At first glance, your mind might jump to the obvious. “Timeless” brings up a cascade of synonyms: eternal, everlasting, perpetual, ageless. You might start plugging them into the empty squares, but something feels off. They’re too… direct. Too modern, perhaps. They lack a certain flourish, a specific kind of music.
The real magic, the key that unlocks this entire puzzle, lies in those last four words: “to a poet.” This is not just a modifier; it’s a direct instruction from the puzzle constructor. It’s a stage whisper telling us to change our perspective. We are being asked to step away from the dictionary and thesaurus, and instead, to step into the mind of a bard, a lyricist, a creator of verse. How would they describe something that exists outside the bounds of time?
A poet doesn’t just state; they evoke. They use language that is often grand, sometimes archaic, and always chosen for its sound and feel as much as its meaning. This crossword clue is prodding us to search for a word that carries the weight of history and art. It’s asking for a term that feels more at home in a leather-bound book than a text message.
Think about the great themes of poetry. Poets have long grappled with the concepts of mortality and immortality, of fleeting moments and endless love. They write odes to Grecian urns and sonnets to their beloveds, all in an attempt to capture a moment and make it last forever. The answer we’re looking for lives in that world. It’s a word that feels ancient and sacred, one that resonates with the echoes of centuries of literature.
So, let the more straightforward synonyms fade away. Ignore the obvious. Instead, listen for a word with a certain rhythm, a word that feels both classic and beautiful. This crossword clue isn’t a test of your vocabulary in the traditional sense; it’s a test of your soul’s ear. The answer isn’t just correct; it feels right, settling into the grid with a quiet, poetic sigh.
Available Answers:
ETERNE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 1118-25 NY Times Crossword 18 Nov 25, Tuesday